Saqlain’s back, in the groove

Kent enjoyed the sun on their backs for the first time this season and Ealham shared stands with skipper Matthew Fleming and Min Patel, who both made 40, before he was ninth out enabling Fleming to declare just after tea. Rain decimated the third day at Headingley where the top two, Yorkshire and leaders Leicestershire, managed less than 20 overs.

The home side, resuming on 107 for four in response to 296, negotiated the time available without further loss with youngsters Matthew Wood (17 not out) and Gary Fellows, unbeaten on 19, moving the score to 146. At Old Trafford, Lancashire failed to get onto the field at all, which was probably better news for opponents Derbyshire, currently in arrears by 19 with eight second-innings wickets intact.

Second Division leaders Warwickshire came unstuck at Edgbaston, mustering only 104 for nine as Nottinghamshire’s bowlers wreaked havoc. A productive day for Umer Rashid manoeuvred Sussex towards victory at Hove. First, he struck an unbeaten 51 to help Chris Adams’ troops to a healthy 463 for nine declared – a first-innings lead of 278 – before claiming two Glamorgan wickets as the visitors finished 242 for six, still 36 adrift.

Essex go into the final day of their Division Two clash against Northamptonshire at Ilford needing 56 runs for victory with six wickets remaining. Faced with a target of 226, they reached the close on 170 for four with Darren Robinson living to fight another day with an unbeaten 70. Essex were reduced to 47 for three as Devon Malcolm produced a superb new-ball burst to capture all those wickets in seven overs at a personal cost of nine runs.

Earlier, Northants carried their overnight score to 327 after resuming on 203 for four. England hopeful Richard Johnson led the way as Middlesex bowled Gloucestershire out for 242 at Lord’s, setting the hosts a testing 298 victory target. Seamer Johnson claimed four second innings wickets to add to the five scalps he took in the first, finishing with match figures of nine for 147. As the light faded Middlesex opener Andrew Strauss took advantage of some loose bowling from Mike Smith to make an industrious 29 as the hosts reached 39 without loss when bad light ended play 15 overs early.

The total they are chasing will be challenging to a fragile Middlesex top order who are without Mark Ramprakash, on England duty at Trent Bridge. The legendary Brian Lara failed to light up the dismal conditions at Worcester, where the tourists mustered just 164 against Worcestershire in their opening first-class fixture of the summer.

Lara lasted just four balls before falling to Kabir Ali for a single and the Left-hand batsman’s team-mates fared little better as a career-best haul of four for five from another youngster, Duncan Catterall, helped shoot them out. Despite the hosts resting twin spearheads, Glenn McGrath and Alamgir Sheriyar, only Chris Gayle, with 38, and all-rounder Mhendra Nagamootoo (37) got to grips with the young pace attack. Worcestershire closed on four without loss.